U.S. patent number 6,276,612 [Application Number 09/566,840] was granted by the patent office on 2001-08-21 for synchronized fountain and method.
Invention is credited to Scott Hall.
United States Patent |
6,276,612 |
Hall |
August 21, 2001 |
Synchronized fountain and method
Abstract
A fountain control system capable of synchronizing a water,
light, and sound performance. The fountain control system includes
a plurality of variable speed pumps which are used to control the
flow of water through the discharge conduits and ultimately the
height of the stream of water projected by the discharge outlet.
The fountain control system is capable of varying the speed of the
pumps in accordance with an audio input signal and thereby control
the height of the stream of water without the use of valves. The
light and sound aspects of the performance are delayed to
compensate for mechanical delays in the system to ensure a
synchronized performance. The fountain control system has the added
ability of providing a unique performance based on different pieces
of music without the need of reprogramming.
Inventors: |
Hall; Scott (Ft. Lauderdale,
FL) |
Family
ID: |
24264597 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/566,840 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/17; 239/101;
239/16; 239/18; 239/20; 239/23; 239/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
17/08 (20130101); F21W 2121/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
17/00 (20060101); B05B 17/08 (20060101); B05B
017/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/16,17,18,20,22,23,67,69,99,101 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Scherbel; David A.
Assistant Examiner: Evans; Robin O.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Brinkley, McNerney, Morgan, Solomon
& Tatum, LLP
Claims
That which is claimed is:
1. A fountain control system comprising:
a fountain controller having an audio input, a plurality of motor
drive controllers, and a means for programming said fountain
controller;
a plurality of motor drives, each of said motor drives receiving a
control signal from said motor drive controller of the fountain
controller;
a plurality of water pumps, each of said water pumps being
connected to a water reservoir and at least one water discharge
conduit, each of said water pumps having means for pumping water
from the water reservoir to the water discharge conduit, said means
for pumping having a variable speed, each of said water pumps being
controlled by one of said plurality of motor drives such that the
output of the means for pumping can be varied, each water discharge
conduit terminating in a water discharge outlet whereby a stream of
water can be projected into the air;
a source of audio signals, said signals being received by the audio
input of the fountain controller, said motor drive controller being
controlled by the fountain controller in accordance with the audio
signals to produce a unique visual display; and,
at least one audio output speaker.
2. A fountain control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the
speed of the means for pumping be infinitely varied.
3. A fountain control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the
means for programming the fountain controller is independent of the
audio signals being received, thereby eliminating the need to
customize the programming of the fountain controller for each
unique presentation of audio signals.
4. A fountain control system as defined in claim 3, wherein the
means for programming the fountain controller is not changed to
produce unique visual displays.
5. A fountain control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said
fountain controller further includes at least one light relay
controller and the fountain control system is further comprised of
a light relay panel, said relay panel receiving a control signal
from said light relay controller of the fountain controller thereby
controlling the individual intensity of a plurality of lights.
6. A fountain control system as defined in claim 1, wherein each
discharge outlet is located remotely from its corresponding water
pump.
7. A fountain control system as defined in claim 6, wherein each
discharge outlet is a nozzle.
8. A method for controlling a fountain control system comprising
the steps of: receiving an analog audio signal through an audio
input of a fountain controller;
separating the analog signal into a plurality of analog frequency
band signals;
delaying the analog frequency band signals received by an audio
output speaker with respect to the analog frequency band signals
received by one or more motor drive controllers of the fountain
controller, thereby compensating for known mechanical delays;
converting the analog frequency band signals into digital signals
for processing by a micro controller device;
processing the digital signals in accordance with a microcontroller
program to produce a plurality of control signals; and
using the control signals to control aspects of a fountain system
presentation.
9. A method for controlling a fountain control system as described
in claim 8, wherein the delay is between about 0 milliseconds and
600 milliseconds.
10. A fountain control system comprising:
a fountain controller having an audio input, a plurality of motor
drive controllers, and a means for programming said fountain
controller;
a plurality of motor drives, each of said motor drives receiving a
control signal from said motor drive controller of the fountain
controller;
a plurality of water pumps, each of said water pumps being
connected to a water reservoir and at least one water discharge
conduit, each of said water pumps having means for pumping water
from the water reservoir to the water discharge conduit, said
pumping means having a variable speed, each of said water pumps
being controlled by one of said plurality of motor drives such that
the output of the means for pumping can be varied, each water
discharge conduit terminating in a water discharge outlet whereby a
stream of water can be projected into the air;
a light relay controller;
a source of audio signals, said signals being received by the audio
input of the fountain controller, said motor drive controller and
said light relay controller being controlled by the fountain
controller in accordance with the audio signals to produce a unique
visual display; and,
at least one audio output speaker.
11. A fountain control system as defined in claim 10, wherein the
speed of the means for pumping be infinitely varied.
12. Fountain control system as defined in claim 10, wherein the
meaning for programming the fountain controller is independent of
the audio signals being received, thereby eliminating the need to
customize the programming of the fountain controller for each
unique presentation of audio signals.
13. A fountain control system as defined in claim 12 , wherein the
means for programming the fountain controller is not changed to
produce unique visual displays.
14. A fountain control system as defined in claim 10, wherein the
fountain control system is further comprised of a light relay
panel, said relay panel receiving a control signal from said light
relay controller of the fountain controller thereby controlling the
individual intensity of a plurality of lights.
15. A fountain control system as defined in claim 10, wherein each
discharge outlet is located remotely from its corresponding water
pump.
16. A fountain control system as defined in claim 15, wherein each
discharge outlet is a nozzle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to decorative water fountains which
incorporate the use of such things as lighting and sound features,
and in particular relates to systems, methods and apparatuses for
infinitely varying the water output of the fountain and the
lighting effect in correspondence with audio or other signals in
real time.
2. Background Art
For centuries, fountains have been used to bring life to landscape
and architecture. In more recent times, lighting and sound features
have been added to enhance the artistic appeal of fountains.
Attempts at coordinating the water, light and sound outputs so as
to create a cohesive and unified audio/visual effect have either
met with failure or have proven to be so labor intensive and costly
as to be unfeasible to all but the most pecunious fountain owners.
The inventor is unaware of any systematic fountain apparatus which
can vary the water and light output of a fountain in a coordinated
manner as a function of sound (e.g. music) input signals in real
time regardless of the nature, frequency, beat, etc. of the sound
input signals. All previous attempts at real time control of water
and light output in response to audio signal input have required
the creation of software routines customized to the particular
piece of music.
One attempt at providing a controlled fountain in which the water
and light outputs are varied in accordance with musical sounds is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,170 to Dach. Dach includes valves
which are positioned downstream from water pumps, which valves are
opened and closed to retard or permit water to flow to output jets.
Attempting to control valves in this way will inevitably lead to
undesired inertia losses and undue overall complexity in such a
system, which will make it virtually impossible to obtain a truly
synchronized output of water, light and sound.
Another attempt at providing a fountain in which water output and
light emission is varied in accordance with input signals related
to audio sounds is U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,210 to Chen. The Chen system
operates in three discrete settings: a built-in procedure setting
in which a main circuit provides predetermined signal sets to
control the water and light performance sub-systems in a
predetermined manner; an external sound input mode in which the
main unit receives an analog signal which is analyzed and applied
to a corresponding set of statistical music theory rules; and an
external specific signal mode about which no detail is given. As in
the patent to Dach, independent valves downstream of the water
pumps are used to control water flow through the array of jets
making up the fountain. Further, the valves which control water
flow utilize photo interrupters to control valve position and hence
water outlet selection.
A still further attempt at providing a fountain having variable
operating states is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,387 to Alba.
The Alba patent discloses a fountain controlled by a
microprocessor, the output of the fountain being variable through
the microprocessor in accordance with such parameters as input
music signals. However, like the aforementioned references, the
water flow is regulated by valves positioned downstream of the flow
pumps and, consequently, suffer from the disadvantages already
mentioned. In addition, the Alba fountain, although being extremely
precise, is extremely complicated in that each water outlet
constituting a jet making up the array of possible outlets are
individually controlled by a valve residing within and constituting
a part of the jet itself. The larger the fountain, the larger the
complications incident to varying the pattern(s). In addition,
installation of complicated electro-mechanical valves at each jet
would essentially prohibit such a fountain from being used as a
floating fountain due to size and weight limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The shortcomings inherent in the above-described disclosures, and
others, are overcome by the instant apparatus, system and method of
use wherein input audio signals of any type are fed to a
microprocessor which converts the incoming audio signal to
real-time control commands for fountain pumps and fountain
lighting, and wherein the water output of any given circuit in the
fountain is varied by changing the speed of the pump, without
depending upon the opening or closing of any valves whatsoever. In
this way, much greater versatility is permitted in the design and
function of fountain systems of this type.
In its simplest form, the system includes a sound receiving or
generating apparatus such as a radio or CD-player, the timing and
settings of which can be manual or automated, a digital crossover
unit to separate the audio signal into high, medium and low
frequency band, an AC-DC converter to convert the separated AC
audio signals into amplified usable DC computer inputs for
processing, and a microprocessor, preferably in the form of a
programmable logic controller, to process the incoming signals from
the converter and output real time control commands for the
fountain pumps and lighting control circuit(s). The system takes
into account delays in water output occasioned by inertia, so that
the sound, light and water features of the system are accurately
coordinated.
The programmable logic controller can also be programmed to control
start-up or discontinuance of the system, musical selections, and
the times at which they are to be played.
In another embodiment, the invention may also use an anonometer
which causes the output signal to the fountain pumps to be
decreased so as to lower the fountain height, or shut the system
down entirely, if wind conditions warrant.
Although there are no limits to the configurations into which an
illuminated fountain can be constructed, it is to be appreciated
that the instant invention is believed to be best suited to the
type in which a plurality of independent water flow circuits are
used, each of which terminates in a discharge nozzle array or
pattern, the arrays from the various circuits being operated
relative to each other in such a way that the desired aesthetic
effect is produced. In addition, illumination patterns are
incorporated into the fountain so as to dramatically enhance the
visual effect produced. Each circuit is supplied with liquid by its
own independent pump, the output of which is infinitely variable in
dependence upon the control signal received from the
microprocessor. The actual control features such as power and
switching can vary according to the needs of the application as
determined by the designer.
Typically, a control room or "pit" is provided adjacent to the
fountain to which a water supply is fed, control components housed,
and such things as filtration equipment and sumping apparatus are
placed. The water level within the fountain can be regulated by a
water level control system, and the illumination control system is
preferably positioned there for ease of accessibility when
maintenance is required.
The pit should be adequately ventilated, and a forced ventilation
system having a minimum of 25 cubic feet of air per minute per
horsepower of the system pump is preferred. It is also acceptable,
however, to use a natural convection cooling and ventilation system
as well known in the art.
The external water supply should coordinate with the water level
control system to manually or automatically regulate the water
level in the fountain.
A controller is employed to tie together the operation of all
systems which make up the fountain. The microprocessor and other
control elements of the system may be part of the controller or may
be independently housed.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a
decorative water fountain in which illumination and water output
levels are varied in real time in accordance with any conceivable
input parameters.
It is also an object of this invention to provide an
electro-mechanical control system for a fountain display which
comprises a plurality of spray systems and light source systems for
illuminating the sprays in patterns of color wherein an audio
control signal is separated into a plurality of frequency bands,
and the output of pumps associated with the spray system(s) is
varied on an infinitesimal basis in accordance with a given
relationship between the audio signal frequency and pump
response(s).
In accordance with these and other objects which will become
apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described
with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective, partial cutaway schematic representation
of a typical large pool fountain arrangement known in the prior
art.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational schematic representation of
a fountain in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a system according to the
present invention shown in plan.
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the water pumping system
portion of the fountain system shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the lighting system portion
of the fountain system shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic representation of control
apparatus which may be used to operate fountains in accordance with
the invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the control and fountain
apparatus in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a fountain control procedure suitable
for use with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates generally a
typical prior art fountain wherein a pool 12 is connected to a
control room or pit 15 via appropriate electrical and hydraulic
apparatus. A fountain jet 23 situated in pool 12 is used to expel a
flow of water or other liquid pumped by pump 25 through conduit 26.
A drain 18 in the floor 13 of pool 12 allows the water or other
liquid expelled through jet 23 to return via return conduit 27 to
pump 25 for re-circulation through jet 23. A main drain 19 is used
as an intake for filtration system 17. Liquid entering drain 19
flows through conduit 30 into filtration system 17 and is pumped by
pump 31 through filter 32 and thereafter conduit 34 through liquid
return fitting 36 into pool 12. Ideally, the fitting should be so
located as to create a natural circulation of liquid back to
filtration skimmer 35 and drains 18 and 19. A vacuum fitting 24 may
be employed to connect to a manual cleaning of the pool floor.
Vacuum fitting 24 and filtration skimmer 35 are connected
filtration system 17 via return conduits 24' and 35', respectively.
An overflow drain 40, which has an aperture situated at the desired
liquid level within pool 12, is used and drains excess water in
pool 12 through drain pipe 41. A plurality of submersible lights 50
for night illumination of fountain features may be employed and are
controlled through wiring 51 via controller 58. Controller 58 also
is used to regulate other functions of the fountain such as timer
clocks for control of the main pump 25, lights and filtration
system 17. The controller can also regulate the water level control
system, lighting contact doors, sequence timer and any other
related controls suited to a particular installation. A light 68
may be used to illuminate pit 15 through electrical box 66. Power
outlets may also be employed in electrical box 66 to provide
electrical power to equipment, such as power tools and auxiliary
lighting, used by those working in the control room. A sump pump 70
may be employed below or at the floor level of pit 15 to drain any
undesired water which finds its way into pit 15. A ventilation
system may be employed to allow an air flow through the interior of
pit 15, particularly when cover 76 is in the closed position over
pit 15. To this end, a blower 80 is used to draw outside air
through inlet conduit 82 and expel air within pit 15 through outlet
conduit 84.
Liquid to replenish the liquid level in pool 12 may be supplied by
a municipal water supply system 60 through conduit 62 as needed. A
liquid level sensor 46 may be used to measure the liquid level in
pool 12 as it drops below a predetermined height. When this occurs,
an interconnection between sensor 46 and controller 58 will cause a
supply of liquid to be provided to pool 12 via conduit 62. Any
suitable control apparatus for maintaining the liquid level in pool
12 is contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.
Pump 25 may be energized by a starter 58, which may be provided
with fusible disconnect with overload relays to match the
characteristics of pump 25.
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional elevational schematic representation
of a fountain in accordance with the present invention. The control
room 15 is typically located adjacent to the pool 12. Because
access to the control room is not regularly needed, and the
addition of a building to house the control room may detract from
the aesthetics of the fountain, the control room is typically below
ground. A plurality of fountain jets combine to form an artistic
collection of water parabolas extending above the pool 12.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a fountain control system designed
in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a simplified
schematic view of only the pumping elements, while FIG. 5 shows a
simplified schematic view of the lighting elements. The fountain
control system 100 includes a fountain controller 102 which
interfaces to an audio system (not shown), a plurality of motor
drives 104a, 104b, 104c, and a light relay panel 106. Fountain
controllers are known to the art and utilize a variety of methods
to process audio input signals to produce fountain control signals.
Modern methods, as used here, utilize a programmable logic
controller to process the audio signals to produce a complex visual
display of light and water. The complexity of the resulting display
can be changed by modifying the program used by the programmable
logic controller.
The fountain controller 102 directly controls a plurality of motor
drives 104a-104c. Typically, this direct control is accomplished
using electrical connections, but other means, such as radio
frequency transmitters and receivers, could also be used. The motor
drives 104a-104c receive control signals from the fountain
controller 102 and vary the speed of a water pump 108a, 108b, 108c
accordingly. The motor drives 104a-104c have a variable frequency
response which produces various output levels based on the input
control level. The motor drives 104a-104c are each electrically
connected to a water pump 108a-108c. The water pump 108a-108c is
connected to a water intake conduit 110a, 110b, 110c and also to a
discharge conduit 112a, 112b, 112c. Water pumps of various designs
are know to the art and generally transfer water from the water
intake conduit to the discharge conduit. In the preferred
embodiment, the water pumps 108a-108c have an infinitely variable
pumping speed, which is controlled by the motor drives 104a-104c.
The variable speed allows the flow through the discharge conduits
112a-112c to be controlled without the use of valves.
As can be appreciated, each discharge conduit 112a-112c is attached
to at least one discharge outlet 114. The discharge outlets may
have various sizes and configurations. For example, the discharge
outlets may take the form of a single large discharge nozzle 114,
medium sized discharge nozzles used in pairs 116a, 116b, 116c,
116d, or a ring with a plurality of small discharge nozzles 118.
These are offered as examples of typical configurations known to
the to art and are not intended to limit the scope of the
disclosure or of the claims herein. Each discharge outlet
preferably has a substantially vertical orientation. Typically, the
water pumps 108a-108c draw water through the intake conduits
110a-110c and force it through the discharge conduits 112a-112c.
The pumped water is then forced though at least one discharge
outlet 114, 116a-116d, 118 which causes a stream of water to be
projected through the air. This flow of water is indicated in by
the flow lines in FIG. 4. The stream of water follows a parabolic
path, which can varied by changing the angle of the discharge
nozzle. Preferably, the water lands within a reservoir 119 where it
can be once again drawn in through the intake conduits 110a-110c.
The type and angle of the discharge outlets is chosen to achieve a
desired artistic effect.
As can be appreciated, the open nature of the reservoir 119 can
result in dirt and other debris being introduced into fountain
system. Such foreign matter can block the water conduits and
otherwise cause the fountain system to malfunction. To prevent
foreign matter from entering the system, an intake screen 120a,
120b, 120c is connected to each suction line. The intake screen,
which is known to the art, has numerous small apertures which allow
water to flow though the screen but prevent objects which are
larger than the aperture from flowing through. The intake screen
may also employ other filtering materials, such as charcoal, which
are known to the art.
A light relay panel 106 is also directly controlled by the fountain
controller 102. Typically, this direct control is accomplished
using electrical connections, but other means, such as radio
frequency transmitters and receivers, could also be used. The relay
panel 106 is, in turn, connected to a plurality of substantially
vertically oriented light fixtures 122. These connections may be
either direct or through a junction box 124a, 124b, 124c for common
control of multiple light fixtures. The relay panel 106 varies the
intensity of each light fixture 122a-122kk in accordance with the
control signals from the fountain controller. The light and water
combine to form a complex, and hopefully artistically pleasing,
display.
FIG. 6 shows perspective schematic representation of control
apparatus which may be used to operate fountains in accordance with
the invention. The motor controls 104a-104c and water pumps
108a-108c are preferably mounted to the wall of the control room,
as are the fountain controller 102 and light relay panel 106. As
can be appreciated, additional motor controllers 104d, 104e, 104f,
and water pumps 108d, 108e, 108f, can be added to the fountain
system. These additional motor controllers and water pumps can be
used to supply additional discharge nozzles or work in tandem with
other motor controllers and water pumps to provide a more dramatic
effect. One such effect would be to change the number of discharge
nozzles activated in relation to the amplitude of the audio input.
The power distribution panel 126 provides the electrical interface
to the electrical utility company. Wiring conduits 128, 129 are
used to carry the electrical supply and control signal wiring. As
can be appreciated, centrally locating the electrical components
provides ease of maintenance for the end user. It also allows for
the lighter elements, namely the light fixtures and discharge
nozzles, to be located at a remote location, such as upon a float
on a body of water. Variations in the equipment needed and the
placement of the equipment depends upon the complexity of the
desired fountain system and the physical facilities available.
FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the control and fountain
apparatus in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a fountain control procedure suitable
for use with the invention. The source of audio signals, preferably
an audio CD-player, is electrically connected to a digital
crossover unit. The crossover unit, which is commercially available
and known to the art, separates the audio signals from the
CD-player into component frequency ranges for further processing.
The crossover unit is also programmed to delay some of the
component frequency range outputs to account for mechanical delays
elsewhere in the system. In addition, the control signals to the
light relay panel and the audio signal to the speakers is also
delayed to allow the desired changes in the water flow to take
effect.
The output signals from the crossover unit are fed into a bank of
A/D converters. The A/D converters convert the analog audio signals
into digital signals which are then amplified before being
processed by the programmable logic controller to produce the
control signals for the motor drives and light relay panel.
A significant advantage to this system over the prior art is the
musically-independent nature of the program. The program is
customized in relation to the physical characteristics of the
fountain system, such as the location and number of light fixtures
and discharge nozzles. Once this is accomplished, any musical piece
can serve as the stimulus for the fountain control program. In many
of the prior art systems, the fountain control program would need
to be customized for each musical piece. Obviously, this results in
limiting the flexibility of the system in relation to the money
available for customized programming.
As can be appreciated, the programmable logic controller can be use
to control other aspects of the presentation. For example, the
audio program can be selected and controlled using the programmable
logic controller. A wind speed indicator could also be connected to
the programmable logic controller, which would allow the height of
the water stream to be lowered or stopped in adverse weather
conditions.
While the invention has been described with respect to a single
preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many other
variations, modifications, and applications will be apparent to one
skilled in the art and are intended to fall within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *